Robust inter-slice intensity normalization using histogram scale-space analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a robust method to correct for intensity differences across a series of aligned stained histological slices. The method is made up of two steps. First, for each slice, a scale-space analysis of the histogram provides a set of alternative interpretations in terms of tissue classes. Each of these interpretations can lead to a different classification of the related slice. A simple heuristics selects for each slice the most plausible interpretation. Then, an iterative procedure refines the interpretation selections across the series in order to maximize a score measuring the spatial consistency of the classifications across contiguous slices. Results are presented for a series of 121 baboon slices. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.